Time to take a look at the the three-team trade made by the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder from a fantasy basketball perspective.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Incoming Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith
- While Dion Waiters struggled with his spot up shooting playing off LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavaliers acquired two players who should thrive in that role. J.R. Smith is a career 37 percent three-point shooter, including .356 this season and will gladly play off the ball launching catch and shoot jumpers. He can also be a secondary initiator and should fit much better in David Blatt’s simplistic offense based off of PnRs instead of the triangle.
- Shumpert’s highest level of success with the Knicks came when his role was simplified. Stick him in the corner and let him shoot catch and shoot threes. He’s a perfect example of why sometimes less is more.
- If Smith’s foot holds up he should be good to go as the Cavaliers fourth offensive option and can improve upon the numbers he’s put up this year. I’d add him right away if he’s available. In deeper leagues if you need threes and steals Shumpert is someone to monitor whenever he gets back from his shoulder injury.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Incoming Dion Waiters
- Another weird fit for Dion Waiters. Can we not get the man to a place where he can be the main ball handling guard? With Reggie Jackson, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant around it will be interesting to see how much time Waiters can get as a creator. His three-point shot has taken a big step back this season at .256 after hitting .368 last season. He’s still an extremely talented player with a diverse offensive skill set. If he can carve out a role for himself in Oklahoma City, which is obviously the plan from the Thunder perspective since they gave up a first-round pick for him, he should hold some fantasy value. He was better in December and January than he was in October and November. I’m still holding onto him, but he’s not a must.
New York Knicks: Incoming Nobody
- The Knicks got three players that aren’t worth mentioning because they will most likely be cut and even if one sneaks onto the roster it would be surprising if they had fantasy value. Lots of wing minutes opened up obviously and Tim Hardaway Jr. should already have been held in all leagues. His percentages are brutal, but he’s bringing in volume points and threes plus contributing at least a little better in rebounds and assists. 2nd-round pick Cleanthony Early is a good monitor. In my 14-team league that I was desperate for a small forward I already added him. He got 29 minutes and 12 shots Monday night versus the Grizzlies and with Carmelo Anthony status unknown there’s definitely shots to be had.